Ars Amatoria by Ovid

With arms against the Amazons I have furnished the Greeks. Arms remain for me to present, Penthesilea, [1001] to thee and to thy squadrons. Go to the combat equally prepared; and may those prove the victors, whom genial Dione [1002] favours, and the Boy who flies over the whole world. It was not fair for the females unprotected to engage with the men in arms, and so it would have been disgraceful for you to conquer, ye men.

One of the multitude may say, "Why add venom to the serpent? And why deliver the sheep-fold to the ravening wolf? Forbear to lay the culpability of the few upon the many; and let each fair one be considered according to her own deserts. If the younger son of Atreus has Helen, and the elder son of Atreus [1003] has the sister of Helen, to charge with criminality, if the son of Oclus, [1004] through the wickedness of Eriphyle, daughter of Talaion, alive, and with living steeds, descended to Styx; there is Penelope constant, while her husband was wandering for twice five years, and for as many years engaged in war. Witness the hero from Phylace, [1005] and her who is said to have descended as the companion of her husband, and to have died before her destined years. The wife from Pagase redeemed the son of Pheres [1006] from death, and in place of [1007] the funeral of her husband, the wife was carried out. "Receive me, Capaneus; we will mingle our ashes," said the daughter of Iphis, and she leapt on the midst of the pile. Virtue, herself, too, is a female, both in dress and name. 'Tis not to be wondered at, if she favours her own sex.